What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Parfum
Masking
Amodimethicone
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Oil
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetate
BufferingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cellulose
Absorbent
Persea Gratissima Cera
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Arginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicSerine
Masking
Valine
MaskingProline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Histidine
Humectant
Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Esters, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Parfum, Amodimethicone, Caffeine, Vitis Vinifera Oil, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Acetate, Trideceth-12, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cellulose, Persea Gratissima Cera, Citric Acid, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Biotin, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Histidine
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Boswellia Carterii Resin Extract
MaskingHyssopus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Nigella Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Orbignya Speciosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
C9-12 Alkane
SolventCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Polyquaternium-10
Stearalkonium Chloride
Preservative
Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhytic Acid
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientHydrated Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Behentrimonium Chloride, Lactobacillus, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Boswellia Carterii Resin Extract, Hyssopus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Orbignya Speciosa Kernel Oil, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, C9-12 Alkane, Cetrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Stearalkonium Chloride, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phytic Acid, Caramel, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Citric Acid, Parfum, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Dipropylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Hydrated Silica, Sodium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilThis ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Stearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
